Adelaide National Dancing group goes to Port Lincoln

In 1964, the Adelaide Lithuanian National Dancing group travelled to the tuna capital of Australia, Port Lincoln. January 24 – 27^th 1964, the annual Tuna festival was held, attracting tourists from all ends of Australia and even around the globe.  The dancing group was invited to the festival led by Bronė Lapšienė.  Friday evening, 28 dancers where chaperoned by Bronė and Vytautas Vosylius aboard a bus that would take them 400 miles from Adelaide. 

Although they were tired, not having slept much during the night bus ride the dancers gave an excellent performance at the festival.  The public were spellbound, the two performances were did not satisfy them.  The group preformed another time on the Sunday evening.

Before every dance, student Antanas Stepanas would broadcast over the microphone a brief introduction to Lithuania, its people, culture, customs, songs and described the dance to be seen.   Antanas then introduced each dancer by name.  During the break, Germanaitė gave a lovely solo recital on the accordion.

The dancers were accommodated in a private home before boarding the bus once again for the long journey home.  The bus driver was able to show some of the highlights of the local area before departing the sea side town.

New Australians Marry, 1949

An unusual marriage ceremony was performed at Port Lincoln on Wednesday evening, when two New Australian's were married at the District Registrar's Office by the Registrar (Sgt A. E. Copp).

The bride was Miss Vanda Lazevnikaite, a Lithuanian, and the groom, Mr Stefan Naninski, Ukrainian, at present employed at the Kopi waterworks camps.

The ceremony believed to be the first of its kind on Eyre Peninsula was performed with the aid of an interpreter.

Port Lincoln Times, Thursday 8 December 1949